I was coming to the end of my training for the Goofy Challenge- I had run my 18 miles on Saturday, went out that night to a party, and ran 11 miles Sunday am. Monday am I got up and ran with Alyce, Cynthia Jeannie and Leigh- not aware that Alyce and I were both pregnant. I was two days pregnant, so no way of knowing. Alyce was three weeks ahead of me- when we both found out and told each other we were relieved to have a running friend to go through this with! Running while pregnant was great- when I found out on Christmas I was pregnant I went through a huge range of emotions about running- I was not sure what to do about the Goofy Challenge. I had trained hard to run the 39.3 miles and was in fantastic shape, but was nervous about the actual race at 8 weeks pregnant. One of the OBs at my practice said no way to the races. I must have changed my mind 500 times, and left for Disney convinced I was doing just the 1/2 marathon. Well- I did the full and half marathon and finished in the top 12% of both! I did take it easy as it was hot at some points in the Florida sun, but was so thrilled with my accomplishment!
When I got back I was convinced by Leigh to register for the Charlottesville Marathon- I eventually switched to the half, even if I would be 21 weeks pregnant! I then got the running bug again (I don't think it ever went away- except for a few minutes in Disney in the days after the race, but it came back) and registered for the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler and the National Half Marathon, along with a handful of smaller local races. I was featured as One Fit Mommy on Workoutmommy and met so many neat people through that! I also was interviewed for the NBC News at the Charlottesville Marathon, but that footage is not up anymore. During that run one of the race spectators recognized me from the interview, it was fun! I was able to keep up my running until around 23 weeks- after that my sciatic nerve caused too many problems to do long distances!
I have a few people I need to thank for helping me over the past year with my running- without a doubt, Alyce, Cynthia, Jeannie and Leigh were amazing. Even when I was the only one training for the Goofy Challenge, these girls got out of bed at 5am to run up to 18 miles with me in the bitter cold and many days, rain. They even tag teamed a few runs so that I always had a running mate- thanks girls. They also talked me into races, supported all my decisions, made me laugh, and were great friends. Leigh and Cynthia are now pregnant- so we are looking forward to a day we can all be back in amazing running shape! I also need to thank Rich- he has been to more races than I can count, including dragging two kids along to most of them. He also deserves thanks for making sure I had the time to run, and not rolling his eyes (at least when I could see) when I complained that he had to work on a day I wanted to run. Many days he cut it close so I could get in a run- so thank you!
Now for the year ahead- Iron Girl! I am very excited for Iron Girl in August. I am still working on my training plan, but I am ready for the chalenge. I am registered for the National Half and the Charlottesville Half again. I can't wait to add races to the list, and I am sure Rich is thrilled to now bring three kids to the race! It will be fun getting back into running more and more as Meredith grows and sleeps on a regular schedule! And good luck to Leigh and Cynthia with the running babies, and I speak for us all when I say that we miss running with Alyce now that she is in Lake Charles- but we all know that we will be back together someday! We love you Alyce- and William loves you most mermaid!
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inpirational
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